Freezing Feet in Florida

I went to see ICE! yesterday in Florida. Two million pounds of uniquely sculpted ice are displayed at nine degrees Fahrenheit. The Gaylord Palms Hotel creates this huge icy playground for families and kids like me. I couldn’t feel my toes or my nose after walking through this amazing attraction. I wore the long blue parka they provided and my own scarf and gloves, but should have brought a face mask and worn 2 pairs of socks. It was really cool. A marvelous winter wonderland. You have to feel it to believe it.

This photo is me waving from the ice candy house.

Rom-coms and Your Love Life

I’m a romantic--I admit it so this study's claim surprised me: “rom-coms spoil your love life”. What’s a “rom-com”? Oh, short for romantic comedy. Anyway, the study states that watching romantic movies can give you false expectations in your relationship. For example, you might believe your loved one knows you so well that you don’t need to communicate. “Maid in Manhattan”, “You’ve Got Mail”, “Runaway Bride” and “Serendipity” were mentioned as part of the study. I thought romantic comedies help us to appreciate our significant other more, even give us some good ideas. Some of my favorites that have probably helped my love life are “How to Lose A Guy In Ten Days”, “Love Actually”, “PS I Love You” and “Must Love Dogs”. So, I wonder if the same claim can be true for romance novels? That’s another study.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I’ve discovered a new "old-fashioned" way to bond with my 15-year-old son. We’ve been watching Christmas shows and movies on TV each night. I sacrificed watching my father’s favorite “Charlie Brown’s Christmas” to watch “Santa Clause II”, but spending time laughing together was priceless. Our family (all three of us) ended up watching “Elf” on TV even though halfway through we realized we have it on DVD. I think we enjoyed talking through the commercials. Other good Christmas movies we’ve spent time together seeing: “The Santa Clause”, “The Ultimate Christmas Present”, and “Christmas Vacation”. I wonder what we’ll see tonight. It’s his choice.

Why? Why? Why?

I’ve come to realize I may never understand “why”. But I keep asking “why?” The reason to know why would be change the outcome and that can't be changed. So I need to stop asking why. It’s just hard to accept that there is no more Mark, only memories. I grieve for myself and for his family losing him, but because I feel sad that he had to feel such hopelessness and despair. A friend of mine sent me a book that I devoured, Finding Your Way after the Suicide of Someone You Love by David B. Biebel and Suzanne L. Foster. I recommend it to any survivors of suicide.

Ode to Mark

Guitars. Kid Rock. Collective Soul. Grimaldi’s chocolate covered potato chips. Adirondack chairs. Outback. These were a few of Mark’s favorite things. Now that he’s gone, they bring tears to my eyes. He was a good brother and friend to me. Mark was talented. He could turn wood and nails into anything. He once built a spiral staircase and told me he never had to use math so much as he did then. He could play guitar by ear and it sounded like he was reading music. He loved music, especially rock. He was generous. He practically gave away his last work van. He was funny. He could do impressions of friends and famous people. He could tell a story and make anyone laugh. He was a good father. He took his boys to the movies, the flea market or to the park while his wife studied. Mark was a quiet, sensitive man with a big heart. I will miss our hour-long phone calls. Rest in peace brother.

What A Story!

What a story! Sex, murder and secrets dominate the plot over seven days. "Lovers & Players" by Jackie Collins starts with a meeting being called by controlling billionaire Red Diamond, whose manipulative behavior has determined the fate of his sons’ lives as well as any others who cross his path. His character is easy to hate while his sons' crazy lives are sometimes easy to identify with. The story intertwines the lives of an aspiring singer and an heiress. I couldn’t put this book down even though the ending was somewhat predictable. I can imagine three sequels based upon the lives of those touched by Red.

Vote from the Heart

I'm so glad I voted via absentee ballot. No matter how you vote, I hope you vote with your conscience. Check out this video that doesn't tell you "who" to vote for, but gives you some guidance.